Blooming Gorgeous

Habinteg Housing Association have been involved
in excellent projects with children, particularly, in
Hazelbank Estate, with weekly workshops teaching
children about the journey of food and how to
plant, grow and ultimately cook their own food.
Apex Housing also run an annual gardening
competition encouraging local tenants to up the
stakes in looking after their gardens.
Northern Ireland Housing Executive do a lot of
grounds maintenance work in many of the city’s
estates assisting with grass cutting and planting.
They have done sterling work helping residents
create community gardens at Caw Estate, Fountain
Estate and Nassau Crescent making a concerted
effort to increase the proportion of herbaceous
perennials and shrubs in its panting schemes.
Older People’s Charity Age NI run a very popular
annual gardening competition celebrating the work
of the older generation in developing their gardens,
floral displays and vegetable plots. Not only does
this help our environment, but it brings people
together too tackling loneliness and isolation.
Action Mental Health and the Men’s Shed are also
very active in encouraging community participation
in local gardening initiatives and Council regularly
support them with free green waste compost
and advice to nurture green spaces while helping
improve people’s mental health.
Additionally Londonderry and District Floral
Art Society put great effort into preparing
arrangements for flower festivals all year round
including two local events at All Saints Clooney and
Steelstown.
Summer bedding
Children growing their own as part of
Habinteg Housing Association’s Project
3 year old Rossa McCallion enjoys
making his own window box at Brooke
Park Spring Open Day
Derry City and Strabane District Council 7
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